What did Joseph Merrick dream about? Who would he have been were it not for the cruelty of the world? With this sculpture I wanted to explore Joseph away from the pop-culture vision of the Elephant Man. The piece was staged to encourage interaction - Joseph was prevented from having visitors during his time at the hospital, so viewers of Joseph's Garden were encouraged to come close and sit with him.

He sleeps, lying on his back like he always wished he could, in a dream-world without pain or fear or judgement. Instead of the cold and sterile hospital he was kept in, he lies comfortably under blue skies. Flowers and vines adorn the bed - he was never allowed to visit the hospital gardens, even at night. His favourite psalm is written above him on the wall, as a comfort to him and a reminder to the rest of the world that he wasn't and isn't what they think he is.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.